Why is Dog Massage Good?

Imagine giving your dog a massage? Some may call it dog massage therapy. Knowing and seeing the health benefits convince dog lovers it's all worth it for their pet. There are grooming shops and vet clinics that will do this service. You may wonder why people would do this. The "why" answers are below.

Dog pampered at hotels

At the Ritz-Carlton Sarasota, you can book an appointment for a couples massage: you and your dog.

In Paris, France, luxury pet accommodations is found at Acutel Dogs. They offer rooms for man's best friend, with comfy sleeping cushions, and walking paths and hikes close by at Vicennes Park.

Since December 2010, Adogo Pet Hotel, in USA, pampered pooches has rooms and suites as big as 175 square feet; can have customized room service meals (served hot or cold) plus grooming services (skin care, shampoos and nail clippings) at the on-site spa.

Molly sound asleep after a massage

Is this world going to the dogs?

If you can get a massage and benefit, why can't your pooch too? Pet massage, as in dog massage therapy, has become very benefits. For people and other pets it is becoming a very popular profession. People love their dogs and pamper them. Does this sound crazy? This is a profession requiring schooling. My dog, Molly, would say “I love it. It feels like I have just landed in heaven.” My vet includes it in her wellness visits. We are the voice and decision maker to the dog. If your dog is your best friend, like mine is, do you believe, how a massage can be like a hug?

“A hug is the shortest distance between friends.” ~Author Unknown

Awake after the massage

Don’t you love to be hugged or embraced? The personal touch is so critical and helps in healing. Don’t you think our dogs deserve this?

Any benefits?
I recently heard of one dog with arthritis problems, had been on medicine and getting massaged by a therapist. When the owner stopped bringing the dog in, saving money, the pooch’s problem returned. Prior to that medicine had declined.

Five advantages of dog massage:
1. Massage releases endorphins. It has a calming effect.
2. Increases happy hormones called serotonin.
3. Behavior problems lessened as it is like an anxiety reducer.
4. Increases blood and lymph circulation (humans can be the lymph workout on rebounder.
5. Enhances the dog's immune system and helps rid the body of toxins.

For my senior dog, mine almost 12, she loves to be massaged as she lengthens her muscles through a stretch. Can it aid in treating degenerative disorders, stiffness, muscle cramps, skin conditions, etc.? Yes through research found this is the case.

I don’t know the first thing about massaging my dog, but fake it and she loves it. I never read a book or studied how to do it but seeing there is a right and wrong way. Isn’t amazing how much we know and yet really how much we don’t?

Here’s one story I found about it’s great effects: A dog suffered from hip dysplasia and arthritis, was on medication and in a lot of pain. With message and canine acupressure they saw miracles with more energy at times. Isn’t amazing how much we know and yet don’t know.

The human touch
Don’t you love to be patted, hugged or embraced? The personal touch is so critical and also healing. There are benefits to the touch method as I call it and why wouldn’t we think our dogs deserve that same love. Perhaps even take a small break if you are outside with your dog, doing your gardening and pet her. There are even gentle oils I call herbal dog remedies that can help. We used to use olive oil on our dogs cracked paws. Using a little is all we would use. It worked for her and speaking from our own experience.

Warning
Everyone will think they can massage any dog. Let e say only message a dog you do know and never force a massage onto any dog.

How popular are canine massage therapists?
There are many schools now training therapists. If it wasn’t a viable profession there wouldn’t be schools for this. People love their dogs and pamper them like me.

“We never really own a dog as much as he owns us.” Gene Hill

Do you think you will try learning more about massaging your dog or having it done professional?

We would love to read your comments. Please share them below.

Wags from Molly and Mommy, Carol Giambri

http://CarolGiambri.com

Carol Giambri is a back-to-basics person, author, leader, and holistically oriented. Adopting dogs for over 40 years she has found each to be precious and never returned one. Carol is a health nut and converted her husband and dog to eat this way. She chooses to be positive and upbeat refusing to accept the words “impossible" or "can't.” Her dog’s Lupus recovery is a great example of not quitting even when she got gloom reports from three vet clinics. As a result of her life experiences she is passionate about eating healthy, hunting for edible weeds, and teaching others to live a life fulfilled with dogs, eating well, and encouraging others who need an uplift through her voice. She leads a healthy eating group in her local community for years and called upon when health speakers travel to her area to promote them. Her programs and writings show people how living a simple healthy lifestyle with a dog is fun, easy and delicious without using chemicals. If you think this lifestyle is just about dogs living healthier she says it's also for people whether a dog owner or not. Carol's vegan days began when her husband had a seizure over 35 years ago, believed he would be healed and was in six weeks. Are you ready for Carol to encourage you and your dog along your journey?

Mandy, thanks for compliment. How awesome is it that you knew to massage Ajah B. Lucky girl. Mine loves it too, but little did I know there is a right and wrong way. I leave that part to the vet and gentle here only. Sadly Molly is not hearing from distance well, but possibly from my yes to that invasive treatment called drugs–scared into it–not for long–regardless it could have come at any time so can’t blame without knowing. All is cool and she is doing fabulous. Don’t we just love our dogs–so precious!

Karen, I recently was at a large pet show and was a small focus there; but knowing it is growing I’m glad dogs can enjoy the touch and many health benefits of it too. Thanks for your comments I appreciate.

Denny, thanks for your comments. Warning: I read recently there is a right and wrong way to massage the pooch. May want to borrow book or see youtube possibly for info. I didn’t search for. Also for aging dog, I would suggest looking at what you are feeding and any supplementation. Mine will be 12 and like a pup still. A little slower before I was “faked” into drugs for a short period during her LUPUS trial. Yikes. Glad that’s over. Also my vet does muscle testing to see if it agrees with dog. So far she has been right on and change change from good to bad back to good for supplement.

Thanks Olga for your comments. Glad my words show my love! Dogs are not bad–it’s the owners that create bad dogs. Hope I can make changes in the dog and other pet world and stop people abusing animals. I hope these angry people get professional help for their anger. Enough said. Whew!

Carol, it’s been my thought this past year or two with my border collie, Matty, that she “gets it” more than I do…. that touch is essential to our health! She loves to have her face touched. I don’t know that she would like a general massage so much as she loves to have her face stroked. It’s like dogs understand this…. they love to always be touching, even if they are asleep. And I think it’s God’s way of teaching us, because they are certainly great teachers! Thanks for a great article and your site is looking marvelous!!!

Susan, Thanks for your kind words. My own thoughts are sometimes “dogs” know how to give that “loving feeling” to us more than people can or even know how. I’m generalizing but owning dogs over 40 years this is my experience up until now. Your dog knows a great thing, is truly blessed to have you and surely you having the border collie to love on you is a total win-win. God knows what HE did when HE created dogs or other animals. It’s some people who “infected” the animal (dog) to awol. Thanks for the compliment on site; looking to see it evolve with more holistic talk/coaching/products and writing for people too. You are a blessing to know that began through the net (http://teamfamilyonline.com/)